Sunrise 1/11/24

Villanelle 1

Photos by Jonathan Potter ⓒ 2024

I found myself on the outskirts of town at dawn
And wondered how I'd ended up awake
To see the rising of the devil's sun.

I stepped out into the wind and thought I'd run
But then I took a breath and tried to shake
Myself awake on the outskirts of town at dawn.

The wires in the sky seemed to hum a tune
That mixed inside my head and seemed to break
Like waves arising with the devil's sun.

And then your call came ringing like a gun.
I wondered if it was you or just some fake
Imposter of myself on the outskirts of town.

Should I answer or should I throw my phone
Into the fire of the burning lake
To answer to the devil's risen sun?

I answer and I hear your voice alone
Telling me to come home for goodness' sake,
To bring myself from the outskirts of the town
And leave the devil and the rising sun.

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